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Our mission is to perpetuate the warrior art of Jiu Jitsu, specifically the
Jiu Jitsu passed down from antiquity through the modern-day Samurai, Master
Rickson Gracie. While we embrace the many positive aspects that can be
derived through the practice of Jiu Jitsu, our supreme endeavor is that of
perfect self-defense; invincibility.
Daytona Beach-FL
Sacramento-CA
Ocala-FL
Columbia-MD
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"Who overcomes by force, hath overcome but half his foe." - John Milton
"Invincibility lies in the defense; the possibility of victory in the attack." - Sun Tzu
"It is easy to kill someone with a slash of a sword. It is hard to be impossible for others to cut down." - Yagyu Munenori
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Team Groundworks-September 9/19/2011 | The month of September has brought exciting changes to Team Groundworks!
Rickson Gracie Brown Belt Scott Naugle has become part of the Team.
Scott has been training in the Rickson Gracie association for 14+ years,
and he runs an academy in Columbia MD.
Recently, Scott hosted Professor Brandon Hetzler for a seminar and finding that we were
like-minded concerning Rickson's Jiu Jitsu, petitioned for membership. Unanimous consent was
expressed by the Team as Scott has always been part of the Rickson Gracie Jiu Jitsu family.
We are honored and excited to have Groundwork Columbia as part of the Team, and cannot wait
to train with and get to know its members!
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Groundworks Ocala-April 4/23/2011 more | The month of April brought some exciting changes to Groundworks Ocala!
4 Team Groundworks members saw promotion; Congratulations to
Naomi Walker of Groundworks Sacramento (4 Stripe Purple Belt),
Sean Tribble of Groundworks Sacramento (2 Stripe Purple Belt),
Jeff Kieffer of Groundworks Ocala (2 Stripe Blue Belt),
and Moises Innes of Groundworks Ocala (1 Stripe White Belt).
April also saw the first Team Groundworks insturctors meeting
where instructors from GW Daytona, Sacramento, and Ocala meet in Daytona Beach.
There was also news that Team Groundworks Head Instructor Brandon Hetzler
will be traveling to Los Angelos to help Kron Gracie prepare for the 2011 Mudials.
While in California, Brandon will be visiting GW Sacramento for a seminar.
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Groundworks Ocala 1/4/2011 more | Through the month of January, we are honored to have Rickson Gracie
Black Belt Brandon Hetzler teaching at Groundworks Ocala! Brandon is an
Official Black Belt Representative of Rickson and Kron Gracie, and
founder and head instructor of Team Groundworks.
Team Groundworks, with academies in
Sacramento CA,
Ocala FL,
Columbia MD, and
coming soon to
Daytona Beach FL, is an organization devoted to upholding
the highest standards of the most technical Jiu Jitsu, Rickson Gracie Jiu Jitsu.
During his time at Groundworks Ocala, Brandon will be teaching the Groundworks
Combat Course. This course is designed to quickly expose practitioners to the
self defense aspects of Rickson's art, while providing the fundamentals of
Jiu Jitsu. Brandon will also be training and helping to prepare GW Ocala members for
the upcoming 2011 Pan Jiu Jitsu Championships in Irvin CA.
If you are in the Central Florida area, and desire to experience the techniques
of Rickson Gracie Jiu Jitsu from a World Champion Black Belt, don't miss this
opportunity.
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USAF DEP Member Training 7/24/2010 more | On July 24, 2010, we were honored to begin training with members of the
United States Air Force Delayed Entry Program. These young men and women have
committed themselves to serving our country, and for this reason they have my
sincerest respect and appreciation.
It was a bit nostalgic for me as I faced these young men and women
remembering how it was now almost 21 years ago that I left home to enter the Air
Force. It was exciting to hear them state the jobs they would be performing in
the Air Force, and when they would be leaving.
As long as America has men and women who are willing to volunteer to serve
as this group has, we have hope of remaining strong. This group, in my view,
represents part of the very best that our country has to offer, and I am proud
to have met and trained with each one of you.
From 1pm - 3pm, we covered 6-8 techniques from standing self defense, to
ground grappling with SSgt. Corman and 7 members of his delayed entry program.
Everyone did a great job and we at Groundworks Ocala Jiu Jitsu are
excited about next month's training.
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2010 Promotion Testing 6/13/2010 | On June 13, 2010, Brandon Hetzler tested and promoted 3 people at Groundworks Ocala. Michael
Smith was promoted to Purple Bar; Jeff Kieffer was confirmed for Blue Belt and
awarded his first stripe; Lloyd Goodnow was promoted to Blue Bar.
I was actually tested two weeks prior while visiting Sacramento for the
Rickson Gracie seminar. During the four day visit, Brandon evaluated my
understanding of required jiu jitsu techniques and rolling proficiency. My promotion was a
suprise except to my wife who is always conluding with Brandon about some thing
or another.
On Sunday, Brandon began evaluating Jeff and Lloyd's understanding of the
techniques through a series of demonstration and probing question; this portion
of the exam took nearly 2 hours after which Lloyd was promoted and dismissed so
that Jeff could continue his examination.
What took place after can only be described as a gut-check of the first
order. For the next hour and a half, Jeff was forced to demonstrate his ability
with a partner who is a Rickson Gracie Black Belt. In the end, Jeff was still
standing and proved that there is no quit in him.
Congradulations Jeff and Lloyd! I am proud of you both. |
   
2010 Brandon Hetzler Seminar 6/12/2010 | On June 12, 2010, Rickson Gracie Black Belt Brandon Hetzler taught a
seminar at Groundworks Ocala.
Brandon has been called the third most technical proponent in the Rickson
Gracie organization, and has been said to possess the best understanding of self
defense techniques, next of course to Rickson himself. Brandon received his
Black Belt at the hands of Rickson and Kron Gracie after only 8 years of
training.
Much like Rickson, Brandon's ability to break down a fundamental technique
and teach the "why" as well as the "how" is amazing. His understanding of Forca
Invisivel is great. With the help of his training assistant, Danielle Battiato,
Brandon covered between 20 and 25 techniques ensuring that everyone who desired
had the opportunity to feel his execution of the technique personally.
On the following Monday and Wednesday, we were honored to have Brandon
teach class, where he followed a 'question and answer' format, and no technique
or situation was off limits.
There are few in the world who exemplify Jiu Jitsu as a life style like
Brandon Hetzler. Having know him for over a quarter century, and having trained
with him in karate and now Jiu Jitsu, his ability still amazes me. While Brandon
has been endowed with a very natural ability in the combat sciences, his success
comes primarily from his work ethic which is second to none.
Having been priviledged to train with Rickson Gracie, I can say without
question that if you have the opportunity to train with Brandon Hetzler, you
will be experiencing Rickson's Jiu Jitsu.
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2010 Rickson Gracie Seminar @ Groundworks Sacramento 5/27/2010 | On May 27, 2010, Rickson Gracie taught a seminar at Groundworks Jiu Jitsu
House in Sacramento CA, hosted by Brandon Hetzler.
I landed in Sacramento a few hours before the seminar and had the good
fortune of having lunch with Rickson and a select few of the Groundworks crew.
It was great to see Rickson again; it had been 10 months prior when fortune also
smiled upon me and I was allowed to attend a private training session in Rio de
Janeiro with Rickson at the home of Renato Barreto. At lunch Rickson spoke about
the bond forged between practitioners of Jiu Jitsu, and how the mat always
reveals the true nature of a person.
After lunch, we headed over to Groundworks for the seminar. Rickson's
attention to detail never ceases to amaze me; the techniques that were taught
did not consist of the newest or hotest trend, but rather consisted of feeling
the Forca Invisivel of Jiu Jitsu, to perform the moves with a higher percentage
of success.
Four hours seemed to fly by and it was time to line up again. Rickson closed
with an emotional talk about his perceived role in the dissemination Jiu Jitsu,
and how he felt obligated to use his gifted understanding to ensure that Jiu
Jitsu was correctly understood.
As he wrapped up, he left us with a statement that will be with me perhaps
forever. As he did 10 months prior, Rickson's way is beyond simply teaching the
techniques correctly; his understaning is so comprehensive that he is able to
impress upon those around him the deeper concepts of Budo; not only how, but
why...
I am honored to be a student in the way of Rickson Gracie.
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| Site Design by Michael Smith All rights reserved |
Groundworks Ocala Training Calendar
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Prospective Students
Call today to set up your free 30 minute private introductory lesson or to attend a complimentary 1 hour curriculum-bases class!
SCHEDULE
Monday
Youth BJJ: 530p-630p
Adult BJJ: 630p-730p
Adv. BJJ: 730p-830
Wednesday
Youth BJJ: 530p-630p
Adult BJJ: 630p-730p
Adult Self Def: 730p-830
Thursday
Adult BJJ: 630p-730p
Adv. BJJ: 730p-830
Saturday
Adult Self Def: 930a-1030a
Adult BJJ: 1030a-1130a
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